Emil willbrandt



(No fiodel.) E. 'WILLBR ANDT. SURGICAL NEEDLE CASE.

1% 402.550. Patented A t-30, 1889.,

UNITED STATES PATENT: OF ICE.

EMIL NVILLBRANDT, OF INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA.

SURGICAL-NEEDLE CASE.

SPECIFICATION forming part Of Letters Patent N0. 402,550, dated April 30, 1889.

l A Application filed February 5, 1889. Serial No. 298,763- (No model.)

To coll 107110171, it may concern: I V Be it known that I, EMIL \VILLBRANDT, a citizen of the United States, residing at Indianapolis, in the county of Marion and State similar letters of reference indicate similar as before described, the central ball of the parts, Figure 1 is a perspective view of my said invention when closed and in position for use; Fig. 2, a similar view with one side of the case open to show the construction and arrangement of the interior, and Fig. Sacrosssection through the same on-the dotted line 3 3 in Fig. 1.

In said drawings, the portion marked A represents the outside portions of the case; B, the central part or diaphragm; O, the needles or tools contained therein, and D a small. pair of tweezers for handling said needles.

The case A is formed of metal, preferably in a form convenient for the vest-pocket, as shown. Its two parts are duplicates in form and are hinged at one edge, one each side of the diaphragm B, a pintle running through hinge parts on each and forming a common hinge. The front edges of the several parts are provided with a catch, co, of any suitable form, the one shown (the common ball-catch) having been found very convenient. Several elliptical springs, A are secured to the inside surface of each of the parts A, and in each end of each part is also formed a slot, at, the purposes of which features will be presently particularly described.

The diaphragm B is formed of a thin sheet of metal provided with a suitable rim and hinged between the two parts of the case A,

catch being mounted thereon. In its surface are formed several series of depressions or corrugations of the several shapes of the needles which it is desired to put in the case, be-

ing the Various forms of surgical needles well known, and as indicated in the drawings. These corrugations are of a depth and form to afford perfect beds for the reception of said needles, and transversely of each series of the corrugations is cut a slot, 1), directly above which one of the springs A is secured on the case, and into each of which one of said springs is adapted to extend when the case is closed. The two sides of said diaphragm, as will be readily understood, are formed alike, the depressions in one side forming the ridges on the other, and the springs are arranged in the same relation to the slots 19 on both sides thereof.

The tweezers are any ordinary pair of tweezers suitable for the purpose of picking up the needles and repose in a depression in the diaphragm, as indicated in Fig. 2.

This invention is used as follows: The needles are placed in the proper depressions in one side of the diaphragm, and the side of the case A which covers it is closed, its catch engaging with the catch on the edge of said diaphragm, and the springs A, bearing directly upon said needles, (which direct contact is permitted by means of the slots 1),) hold them securely in place. The opposite side is then filled and the case is ready to deposit in the pocket or other place where it is desired to carry it for use. In use the side containing the needles wanted is opened, the nature of the catch permitting this to be done without disturbing the other side, and the needles are i picked out by means of the tweezers, the slots 0 afiording a convenient place to seize them. After use the needles are replaced, the case closed, andthe Whole thrown into a vessel of boiling water and boiled until thoroughly cleansed and rendered aseptic, the water flowing into and filling the case through the slots a. When the boiling has continued a suflicient period, the case is taken from the water, which is allowed to drain from the interior of the case through the slots at, when the heat from the steel and metal causes all moisture to soon -evaporate and leave the needles perfectly clean and dry and ready for use again. Thus much of the time and trouble usually employed in cleaning the needles after use is saved, and a very durable, cleanly, and convenient case is provided.

Having thus fully described my said invention, what I claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is

1. A case for containing surgical needles, composed of metal and having a metallic part formed with depressions in its surface to receive the needles, and means, substantially i as described, for holding said needles in place,

substantially as set forth. a

2. A case for containing surgical needles, having a diaphragm arranged centrally therein and formed with corrugations in both its sides to receive said needles, substantially as set forth.

3. In a case for surgical needles, a diaphragm corrugated to receive said needles and formed with slots transversely of said corrugations, substantially as set forth.

4. The combination of the two-part case A and diaphragm B, hinged together-at oneedge and provided with a catch at the other, the springs A, secured to said case A, and the slots b, formed in said diaphragm at the points where said springs close against it,

substantially as set forth.

5. A needle-case formed of metal and provided with slots, whereby boiling water may be allowed to flow into and escape from said case, substantially as described, and for the purposes specified.

In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal, at Louisville, Kentucky, this 30th day of January, A. D. 1889.

EMIL VVILLBRANDT. [L. 8.]

Witnesses:

JOHN GILL, W. L. SPALDING. 

